Good pet lizards for beginners

The green anole is one of the most commonly available lizards in the pet trade, and makes a good beginner reptile. They are sometimes called American chameleons, although they are not true chameleons. They can, however, change their color from brown through a bright emerald green. There are several species of anole, the most common pet species being the green anole (Anolis carolinensis), native to the southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean. Cuban (Knight) and brown anoles can also be found fairly readily as pets. The information in this article refers to the common green anoles. Anoles have the advantage of being relatively small, inexpensive and easy to care for. They reach an adult length of around 8 inches in captivity, and a lot of that is tail. It is fairly easy to meet their housing and dietary requirements, although a fair amount of equipment is required to properly set up a vivarium for anoles.

Anoles are also attractive little lizards.

Males have a colorful dewlap (fold of skin under the chin/neck), which they flash during territorial and courtship displays. Females of some species also have dewlaps although they are generally smaller and not displayed as often. They can drop their long tail if grabbed by the tail, a defense against predators in the wild but which they will not hesitate to use if held by the tail. The tail will usually regenerate but will not look the same as the original did. They are fairly skittish and shy but with consistent and gentle handling will become somewhat tame. An exception is the Cuban anole which is a more aggressive species.

Anoles can be kept singly or in small groups. Males are territorial and may display and fight with one another, so a group is best composed of females with no more than one male. A good sized aquarium with a tight fitting screen top makes the best home; an absolute minimum 10 gallon aquarium for 1-2, but larger is better and necessary for groups of 3 or more. The preferred substrates include soil (without perlite), peat moss, or orchid bark. Essentially, a semi tropical environment should be created (not rain forest) with daytime temperatures of 75-80 F and a humidity of 70% Several plants should be provided (potted will make maintenance easier) and branches for basking are essential. Anoles do not lap water from a dish as a rule, so their cages/plants should be misted twice daily and the anoles will get their fluids by licking droplets off leaves. For diet, live crickets (gut loaded and supplemented with vitamin/mineral mix) and sometimes meal worms are normally fed, and wild caught insects can be offered too if confident that they are pesticide free.

If a captive bred lizard can be acquired this is preferred as they tend to be less stressed and less prone to illness/disease at the time of purchase. However, most anoles available in pet stores are wild caught. Sometimes anoles will be dehydrated and emaciated on acquisition, as evidenced by loose folds of skin. Avoid anoles that look ill or dehydrated. In any case, new anoles should be checked by a veterinarian for internal and external parasites.

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